With only a few weeks left before the free agency is fully underway in the NFL, the Pittsburgh Steelers will see high sales in the starting positions of their soccer team. Places like the offensive line are undergoing a major overhaul, while key starters are likely to head for greener pastures when walking back, wide receiver, external linebacker and more.
Pittsburgh has learned a few things since our first draft: Maurkice Pouncey has officially announced his retirement, Ben Roethlisberger is very likely to return in 2021, and tweets can be picked up at will by a few people who hit the market:
So what changed in our second draft? The offensive line is still the key to success, but the run back and tight end see a nice increase in priority.
We continue to work on the assumption that the Steelers are not very active in the free agency due to the ongoing financial circumstances of the salary cap, which makes the 2021 NFL draft even more important in finding starters who can make a real impact on the way .
Steelers Pre-Free Agency Mock Draft 2.0:
Round 1, Selection 24: Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas
argumentation: Much to the chagrin of Najee Harris’ truth-makers, the Steelers choose to bolster the scrimmage line again and a turnaround is soon on the way. With Zach Banner expected to be in the real tackle again in 2021, the Steelers must figure out who their future left tackle is. Is it Chukwuma Okorafor? Many tend to believe that his 2020 season left a lot to be desired. In a loaded tackle draft, Pittsburgh will land its new left tackle for the foreseeable future.
What you say: “Overall, Cosmi’s athleticism consistently stands out in the offensive tackle position, making him a potential next-level striker. He could quickly become a true left-handed franchise and secure one of the most important offensive positions for his NFL team. Cosmi. ” should undoubtedly be a first choice in the 2021 NFL Draft and could easily challenge for OT2 behind Sewell. “- NFL mocks
Round 2, Option 55: Javonte Williams, RB, North Carolina
argumentation: With the departure of James Conner, the Steelers need a top-class response. Enter: Javonte Williams, a tough but agile runner who shows a real promise to be behind three times in the NFL. The Steelers may opt for a different position here in the second round, but Williams’ prowess seems to be an easy elixir for Pittsburgh’s running problems.
What you sayMany backs in this class have great traits, but his contact balance is a unique trait and should be his key to great NFL production when combined with his ability to use jump cuts and twists to dodge defenders Times and a suitable size I expect he will be a barrier to getting into the top two in this class. “- 247 Sport
Round 3, Option 87: Quinn Meinerz, OC, Wisconsin-Whitewater
argumentation: With Maurkice Pouncey now retiring, the Steelers now have a sizeable gap in the middle position. Ideally, the middle position is already addressed at this point in the draft, but an important position such as the left tackle and a highly talented talent who runs back outside the first position emerged as the winner. Although Meinerz was a third round election here, in the worst case scenario, he would be competing with JC Hassenauer for the starting job, a job I believe Meinerz could win in his first season. If not, Meinerz could sooner rather than later find himself a potential replacement for David DeCastro.
What you say: “Despite a difficult start to the week, Meinerz was undoubtedly one of the 2021 Senior Bowl winners … Meinerz was strong, controlled and showed that he can play with excellent leverage. He also showed versatility in the line-up at guard and center during His toughness was demonstrated by playing through practice with a broken hand. Despite the injury, he passionately advocated being allowed to play on Saturday. The kid is impossible not to get involved. “- Pro Football Network
Round 4, Selection 128: Sage Surratt, WR, Wake Forest
argumentation: Due to the (expected) loss of JuJu Smith-Schuster, the Steelers will again address the recipient position in the NFL Draft. However, with an excellent trio of receivers already in hand, a passport catcher’s priority can wait. Sage Surratt, a tall body receiver who can play in or out of the slot, fits the form Smith-Schuster has occupied in Pittsburgh, though Surratt has growth to show before either of these comparisons can begin. However, a receiver with the size and ability to stretch the field, like Surratt’s, could bode well for a Matt Canada offense.
What you say: “Surratt is a physical receiver with excellent ball skills. He excels at winning in competitive situations by creating leverage, positioning his frame and then letting his size and ball skills get the upper hand. The concern for Surratt is a humble athletic profile, lacking the separation of quickness and long speed, which limits its upper limit at the next level. For a team looking for a big body goal that can win the field, Surratt is an ideal target, but there are some restrictions on what he can and cannot do in the field. “- The Draft Network
Round 4, Selection 141: Tony Fields II, LB, West Virginia
argumentation: It’s no secret that the NFL’s defense landscape is shifting towards athletic linebackers, and Pittsburgh’s Devin Bush is a perfect example of what the new generation of players will be like. Fields’ ability to fill in gaps and hit runners on the sidelines in college gives hope that one day he may be a viable player in the league despite being considered undersized and gaining muscle mass to survive in the NFL can. Fields would give Vince Williams the depth he needed to grow into something bigger.
What you say: “He’s the best when he’s in space and he’s reliable when he’s doing open field tackles. He still has a lot to do, but the potential and benefits of Fields are there … him in Bringing an NFL strength training program will be there. ” essential for its development and upward movement. “- Sports Illustrated
Round 6, Selection 217: Noah Gray, TE, Duke
argumentation: The need to add a viable second option to the Steelers’ tight end space is simply not addressed enough, as Vance McDonald’s resignation has created yet another void for the Steelers. With Eric Ebron, Pittsburgh’s need to draw a tight end lags behind other positions of need. However, with no close end of the NFL caliber on the roster and little optimism for help with free decision-making, Duke’s Noah Gray lands here in the sixth round to offer the roster another close end with a big body and pass catcher .
What you say: “First and foremost, Gray is versatile. At Duke, he stood up in the slot, inline and fullback and he also moved a lot. He’s also a willing blocker. Although he doesn’t quite have the game the strength that is needed, to dominate, he’s pretty good at action and with good energy … Noah Gray’s running track and solid athletic footing give him solid ground as an NFL draft prospect for 2021. “- Pro Football Network
Round 6, Selection 225: Wyatt Hubert, EDGE, Kansas State
argumentation: Depth. Depth. Depth. While Alex Highsmith shone in his small tenure as a starting player in Pittsburgh, the depth behind him just didn’t do it when asked to. Should the Steelers again need to dig deep at an outside linebacker, Hubert’s ability to rush the Kansas State passerby provided a solid foundation for a next-level project. Hubert would probably see himself on special teams in his early years in the league, but working behind people like TJ Watt would certainly help his development as well.
What you say: “Wyatt Hubert is an undersized but energetic edge rusher who has been very productive during his career in Kansas. He plays on a variety of platforms and did his best stand-up in the NFL -To force teams to believe it is him. ” A 3-4 external linebacker. Although his reporting experience is limited, he is a ball of energy that does not include an off switch. His aggressive play as a pass rusher often helps him push his limits, but his best asset for a next level team will come as a pass rusher. “- The Draft Network
Round 7, selection 244: Tommy Kraemer, OG, Notre Dame
argumentation: Here in the seventh round you won’t find much in the players’ harvest. Perhaps Tommy Kraemer, an absolute unit of an offensive guard, is one of the hidden gems in the latter part of the 2021 NFL draft. Kraemer sees himself towards the end of the draft thanks to inconsistent play but still showed the ability to move defensive linemen last year . If you want to roll the dice on a deep piece for the offensive line in the seventh round, Kraemer is the way to go.
What you say: “Guard Tommy Kraemer and Tackle Robert Hainsey may not be instant starters, but they have the advantage of being reliable when used in that role … Kraemer started 42 of 45 games in both Right Guard and Right Tackle A. Kraemer’s combination of size, physical features, and versatility will entice an offensive line coach to work with him. “- USA Today
Round 7, Selection 253: Jamar Johnson, S, Indiana
argumentation: With Mike Hilton or Cam Sutton saying goodbye to the Steelers in 2021, Pittsburgh will look to add another eclectic piece to their secondary school. Jamar Johnson played a fair bit of security and slot corners in Indiana. He provided excellent support on the sidelines and broke well on tracks either intercepting passes or forcing incompleteness.
Donnie Druin is a staff writer at AllSteelers. Follow Donnie on Twitter @DonnieDruin and AllSteelers @si_steelers.
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